Philadelphia University next Monday will dedicate
the walled plaza located between the side entrance
of The Kanbar Campus Center and the Athletic and
Recreation Center in honor of Swedish diplomat Raoul
Wallenberg, who saved tens of thousands of Hungarian
Jews during the Holocaust. All members of the
University community are invited to attend the
dedication ceremony April 26 at 11 a.m.

As First Secretary of the Swedish Legation in 1944,
Wallenberg dealt personally with the horrors of the
Holocaust. In his position, he worked tirelessly to
distribute false Swedish identity documents to
Hungarian Jews that undoubtedly saved them from
death by the Nazis. He established numerous safe
houses in Budapest, Hungary, and secured food and
supplies for those who were able to escape. For his
efforts, he is credited with saving approximately
100,000 individuals from almost certain death.

Under suspicion by the Soviets of spying for the
United States, Wallenberg was arrested in 1945 and
jailed in a Moscow prison where he reportedly died
two years later, although there have never been
definitive findings of what became of him after his
arrest. A native of Sweden, Wallenberg studied
architecture at the University of Michigan, where he
graduated alongside former United States President
Gerald Ford.

“To many, Raoul Wallenberg is an inspiration and a
hero admired for his courage, selflessness and
strength during adversity,” said President James P.
Gallagher. “I can’t imagine a more inspiring person
to dedicate this plaza to and look forward to
students, faculty and staff participating in this
important event.” Prior to the
construction of The Kanbar Campus Center,
Philadelphia University housed many of its student
services in the Wallenberg Center, a building
previously located on Main Campus. This
Thursday's dedication continues the University's
longstanding tradition of remembering the inspiring
life of Raoul Wallenberg.